Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘Palazzio’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Palazzio’ particularly characterized by flowers which are purple/violet, with a purple labellum with some yellow and white; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Palazzio’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Palazzio’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Palazzio’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventors, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Palazzio’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 1999 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Salu Red’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Winning Little Leopard’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis‘Palazzio’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2006 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culturewas first performed in July, 2007 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Palazzio’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are purple/violet, with a purple labellum with        some yellow and white;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Palazzio’, the femaleparent ‘Salu Red’ has crimson colored flowers, the male parent ‘WinningLittle Leopard’ has light purple colored flowers with small spots,whereas the flowers of ‘Palazzio’ are purple/violet with some purplespots.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Palazzio’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘Lions Dive’ (U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/986,290). The color of the flowers of ‘Lions Dive’ is purple/violet,whereas the color of the flowers of ‘Palazzio’ is purple. ‘Palazzio alsohas more white on the lateral sepals with purple/violet spots, and thespots on the lateral sepals of ‘Lions Dive’ are red/purple. The twovarieties also differ in the shape of the labellum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Palazzio’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Palazzio’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Palazzio’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘Palazzio’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Palazzio’

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Palazzio’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Palazzio’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Palazzio’is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phaseof ‘Palazzio’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the dayand 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Palazzio’ are a minimumof 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer withlevel of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growthof ‘Palazzio’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Palazzio’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Salu Red’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Winning Little Leopard’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-7            mm wide and green (RHS 144A and RHS 148C) in color; freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of top to highest            flower): about 54 to 56 cm. Spread: about 30 to 45 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Standard; green (RHS N137A) leaves and            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 2 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 to 8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval, tip is blunt and asymmetric.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 15 to 22 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 7 to 9 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 1.5 mm.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—Green (RHS 137A).        -   Mature leaf color (under surface).—Green (RHS 137B).        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper surface            RHS N137A, under surface RHS 137B.-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 10 to 25.        -   Length.—About 35 to 50 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—Green (RHS 143C) with some darker green (RHS 137A).        -   Internode.—Length: about 24 mm to 30 mm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 17 mm to 22 mm.            Diameter (at midpoint): about 14 mm to 17 mm. Shape:            egg-shaped. Color: yellow/green (RHS 145B) with a purple            haze (RHS 77A).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 2            racemes appear with about 16 to 20 flower buds and flowers            per inflorescence. First flowers can be expected            approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a plant with a            leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis orchid; see FIG. 2. Size (of single bloom):            Height: about 53 mm. Diameter: about 55 mm. Depth of tube:            about 10 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity and arrangement: three petals and three            sepals that are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2            whorls. Petals are more pronounced than sepals. Arrangement:            Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2 lateral petals and            labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall shape: broadly ovate and            weakly cupped, little bit rhombic. Apex: oval. Margin:            entire and weakly undulate. Base: broadly ovate. Length:            about 25 mm. Width: about 28 mm. Texture: Upper surface:            smooth and satiny. Under surface: smooth and satiny. Color            (when fully opened): upper surface is purple (RHS N78B).            Under surface is purple (RHS N78C). At the tip a white mark            on the vein (RHS NN155B). Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed            with 2 prominent callosities at central junction of the            lateral lobes and base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of            labellum fold upward about the column; the midlobe extends            forward and is terminated by 2 filiform appendages at the            apex. Lateral lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while            the midlobe is triangular with a bump and a rib on it.            Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Length: about 17 mm.            Width (not flattened): about 15 mm. Texture: Upper & under            surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): Upper            surface: At the base of the mid lobe a small yellow mark            (RHS 6B). The wide part is red/purple (RHS 71A). The small            part is purple (RHS N78A). Lateral lobes are white (RHS            NN155C) with at the base a yellow mark (RHS 9B) and            red/purple spots and stripes (RHS 71A). Main color is            red/purple (RHS 71A). Under surface: Mid lobe is            purple/violet (RHS N80A) with a white vein (RHS NN155C).            Lateral lobes are white (RHS 155C) with wide purple edges            (RHS N78A). Cirrhi: short. Color: purple (RHS N78A) with a            white tip (RHS NN155C). Pestle (Callosities): Length: about            4 mm. Width: about 4 mm. Color: white with yellow/orange on            the top (RHS 14B) with red/purple stripes/spots (RHS 71A).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals. Overall            shape: elliptical and weakly cupped. Margin: entire and            weakly undulate. Length: about 30 mm. Width: about 20 mm.            Apex: oval. Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and            satiny. Color (when fully opened): Dorsal, upper surface:            main color is purple (RHS 78B) with thin white edges (RHS            NN155C). Under surface is purple/violet (RHS N80B) with            white edges and a white mark at the tip (RHS N155B).            Lateral, upper surface: main color is purple (RHS N78B). At            the base a white mark (RHS NN155C) with purple/violet            stripes/spots (RHS N81A) and little white edges. Under            surface is purple/violet (RHS N80B) with a white vein (RHS            N155B).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 30 mm. Diameter: about 2 mm. Texture:            glabrous and smooth. Color: At the base of the raceme purple            (RHS 79A). Middle is green (RHS 137D) and base of the flower            white (RHS N155D).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 15 mm. Diameter: about 5 mm. Color:            purple (RHS N78B).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: Two. Diameter: about 1 mm. Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm. Diameter: about 5 mm. Color:            purple (RHS 75A).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Palazzio’, as illustrated and described herein.